Gothamist: Too Much Illegal Parking Downtown

N. DiCastro

Mon, 08 May 2006 08:42:46 -0500

Do you notice how illegal parking is tolerated outside of pizza places, particularly in certain [Italian] outer borough neighborhoods? This is more of a problem in areas where there are young Italian men hanging around for hours (all day long) in front of the pizza places, obviously not even consuming anything from the pizza places. The NYPD even tolerates parking at fire hydrants near the pizza establishments. Calling 311 or the police doesn't work. People double parking never get ticketed; there must be some agreement between the police and the pizza shops. Maybe the police officers are afraid of the mafia revenge from the pizza places if they dare to ticket double-parked, sidewalk blocking cars. Obviously the pizza places and their customers are above the law.

Guy

Thu, 27 Apr 2006 11:25:13 -0500

Exactly, if parking is so expensive for city workers that they have to do it illegally at the inconvenience of everyone else AND put the entire community in danger by blocking fire hydrants, then take mass transit like the rest of us! Who watches the watchers?

mike

Thu, 27 Apr 2006 08:42:38 -0500

Cheaper parking would make the situation worse, by only further incentivizing driving. The solutions are simple: * Short-term: Enforce the law! Ticket and/or tow their cars. * Medium-term: End the free parking perks. * Long-term: Congestion pricing.

reader

Wed, 26 Apr 2006 22:33:07 -0500

Unless for offical business or emergencies, they ought to pay for parking like everyone else.

rev pays

Wed, 26 Apr 2006 22:14:53 -0500

I haven't been in Chinatown in years. Looks like the parking has gotten worse and it's by city officials. Channel eleven just did a piece showing city cars parking on the sidewalk of Mosco St. and in the streets away from the 5th Pct. Taking up precious legal metered parking spots. What about the bums shaking you down for parking at the municipal lot across from Criminal Court?

sickofit

Wed, 26 Apr 2006 16:39:22 -0500

you should try coming to washington heights.